Ever wondered what treasures lie beneath Missouri’s soil? Join us as we unearth the most astounding metal detecting finds in the Show-Me State!

Missouri brims with exciting locations for metal detecting, making it impossible to overlook when I toured different states.
Intrigued by Missouri’s rich history and the numerous opportunities for metal detecting, I felt compelled to visit.
Yet, venturing into unfamiliar territory meant I had to first educate myself about the area. After extensive research, I gathered substantial information about Missouri.
With newfound knowledge in hand, I set out for Missouri, eager to explore the state’s premier metal-detecting sites.
In 2015, I spent several weeks there, crisscrossing the state and metal detecting in as many places as possible.
Thanks to the guidance of expert local detectorists, who accompanied me, I uncovered a trove of treasures.
Drawing on my experiences and insights from these local experts, I am excited to share with you the best treasures that Missouri has to offer.
Here are the best metal detecting finds in Missouri,
- Coins and Tokens
- Civil War Relics
- Native American Artifacts
- Spanish Colonial and Pioneer Settlers’ Artifacts
- Jewelry and Adornments
- Religious Artifacts
But there’s a lot more to know!
So, in this article, I’ll explore the best metal detecting finds in Missouri in detail with the locations you can find them the most.
But before checking into these locations, ensure you have proper permission to enter the places with a metal detector.
Some areas have certain limitations in equipment and what you can do while metal detecting, so make sure that you pay attention to small details like those, too.
At last, I will share some tips and tricks I used while metal detecting in Missouri. These will help anyone experiencing a slump in metal detecting or wondering how to start their metal detecting career.
Let’s jump in!

Best Metal Detecting Finds in Missouri
Let me tell you the best treasures you can detect when metal detecting in Missouri with their value and techniques to find them.

Just keep reading!
1. Coins and Tokens
Coins and tokens are one of the most common finds that you can stumble upon in any state. It is just the same in Missouri, too.
However, these coins and tokens can be divided and differentiated into various groups based on multiple criteria.

These coins that we find can be divided according to the periods, like early settlement ear coins, civil war era coins, and modern coins.
There are several different copies with different evaluations among the enthusiasts in these coin groups, too.
Another way to categorize coins is based on what they are made of. This is the most common method coins are classified and helps in ordering other currencies as well.
If you think about the early era coins, most of these were made out of pure gold or silver.
Later coin, they moved towards brass, copper, and various alloys, lowering their antique value with them too.
Curing my trips I was able to find lots of gold coins especially when metal detecting in Missouri ghost towns.
The most common places that you can find these coins will lie in places in Missouri, where trade was abundant historically.
But apart from that, you would yield some exciting coins in general locations, too.
Here are some of the locations that you should definitely try out if you are interested in finding coins in the state of Missouri,
- Downtown St. Louis area in St.Louis in St. Louis County
- River Market area in Kansas City in Jackson County
- St. Charles historical sites in St. Charles County
- Independence Square in Jackson County
- Arrow Rock State historical site in the Arrow Rock area in Saline County.

As you can see, most of these sites are historical or protected sites. So make sure when you are planning to metal detect in these locations, taking the permit from a valid authority is a priority.
If not, you would face some difficulties with the authorities.
Most of the time, these coins will not have an economic value at first glance.
But there are coin enthusiasts; if you find a good coin belonging to a significant era, you can exchange the coin in return for some money.
Another popular type of coin that I was able to uncover from Missouri was the Civil War coins.
These were currencies, primarily coins, that were used when the national money was scarce in those days.
These are just like the government-issued coins, but the difference is that they have local business names imprinted on them instead of government emblems.
As Missouri was a state that was pioneering in the Civil War, there are abundant Civil War sites and monuments.
These areas and the vicinity of these areas still have evidence of the past in terms of coins and other relics.
Here are some of the locations that you should keep in mind to visit if you are visiting Missouri,
- West Bottoms area in Kansas City in Jackson County
- Downtown Springfield in Greene County
- Downtown Joplin in Jasper County
- Downtown Boonville in Cooper County
- Downtown Sedalia in Pettis County

Make sure when you are traveling to these locations to have a valid metal detecting permit issued by a governmental organization because that will help you in most cases regarding the laws.
Check out the Best Places to Metal Detect in Missouri!
2. Civil War Relics
Civil war was one of the significant turning points in the governance of the United States of America.
With the sacrifice of several lives as well as time and resources, at last, it led to a significant change in the governmental perspective of the United States.

The war, which lasted for about five years, claimed a lot of lives and physical resources. Among these resources, abundant metal artifacts and relics were buried.
So, as Missouri was also highly affected by the Civil War, you will be able to find these artifacts and relics scattered across the state, too.
These artifacts, for the most part, will have a relatively low economic value.
Among the things that could be discovered, like bullets, buttons, buckles, weapon parts, and medals, the latter two have high demand in the market.
That is from the antique collectors, too. Apart from that, these items mostly have historical and cultural value.
You might not be able to cash in on these things, but having these things in your collection will be a massive achievement for you.
Here are some of the locations where you can find these artifacts in Missouri,
- Wilsons Creek National battlefield in Republic is in Greene County
- Shiloh National Military Park in Shiloh near the Tennessee Border
- Battle of Lexington State Historical Park in Lexington in Lafayette County
- Battle of Carthage State Historical Site in Carthage in Jasper County
- Pea Ridge National Military Park in Garfield near the Arkansas border.

Most of these sites fall under the category of protected. Sometimes, it takes work to get a detecting permit from the authorities.
But if you are kind enough and have enough people skills, you will be able to crack the code for obtaining the licenses for metal detecting.
3. Native American Artifacts
Native Americans were the first owners of the land that we now call the United States of America.
But when the explorers stepped foot on this great land, they tried to wipe out the ancestors of these lands and claim them as their own.

These led to massive fights and even small wars in some areas. It is leading to the loss of lives and resources.
But at last, the conquerors were able to scare away the native people of their land and claim them.
These led to the destruction of these lands along with other resources the native American people had within,
These are now well preserved under the soil layers and waiting to be uncovered by someone who knows of these historical scenarios.
As these are of much higher historical significance, the areas are highly protected by the governments as well, so if you are planning to metal detecting in this land, it is better if you have a valid permit.
Here’s an article about ancient tribes in Missouri.
Here are some of the locations that you should look out for if you are interested in uncovering this past in Missouri,
- Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site in Collinsville is near the Illinois border across the Mississippi Rover.
- Graham Cave State Park in Danville in Montgomery County
- Stockton State Park near Dadeville in Dade County
- Watkins Woolen Mill State Historic Site near Lawson in Ray County
- Big Sugar Creek State Park near Pineville in McDonald County
- Hawn State Park near St. Genevieve in St. Genevieve County

Check out the Best State Parks in Missouri to Metal Detect!
4. Spanish Colonial and Pioneer Settlers’ Artifacts
Among the groups that explored the land, Spanish people led the way. After settling in the United States, they started to build things and spread their religions.
During this process, they built a lot of monuments and some exciting items. But after some time, with other wars and colonialism ended, most of these monuments were left as ruins.

But some of the metal items that were built in that era might still be hidden under the ground to be discovered.
These items might include metal relics belonging to Spanish colonial houses, metal fragments of monuments, and some other relics.
These might only have a high economic value if the item you find is made out of pure metal. Apart from that, these items will have much historical significance and cultural significance.
Most of the time, these colonial settlements were also along the rovers and stream, which provided them with ample food and water to feed on when they were tired.
Here are some of the locations in Missouri you should visit if you are interested in finding Spanish colonial artifacts,
- Missouri River Region
- Mississippi River Regions
- Osage River Region
- Meramec River Region
- Gasconade River Region
- St. Francois Mountains Region
- Current River Region

5. Jewelry and Adornments
Jewelry is another common thing that can be found anywhere in the United States of America.
These are scattered all over different places in Missouri and might or might not have a historical significance to this jewelry.

Rings, brooches, and earrings are among the most common jewelry finds that you will stumble upon in Missouri. Some might be of high value if they are made out of pure silver or gold.
If not, these will not have a much higher economic value but rather a historical significance.
Here are some locations where you can find these items in Missouri,
- Forest Park in the St. Louis area in St. Louis County
- City Market in Kansas City in Jackson County
- Country Club Plaza in Kasa City in Jackson County
- Central West End in St. Louis in St. Louis County
- Loose Park in Kansas City in Jackson County

6. Religious Artifacts
As there were abundant religious activities in the state in the early periods, there were incredible religious artifacts, too.
These depict the rich cultural history which is spread among the states.
These findings are almost scattered all over the state and mostly could be found in areas with early settlements.

These religious artifacts also carry different styles according to the regions in which they were made.
Earliest crosses and medallions might be of only pure gold or silver. Then, in the colonial era, the crosses and medals were incorporated with jewels and refined elements.
Then, those were converted into alloys like steel, brass, and copper. Thus reducing the economic value of these crosses.
As these are primarily situated in areas with historical significance, you might need a permit to enter these places and engage in metal detecting.
So make sure that you have a valid license before metal detecting in these places because that will save you from legal troubles that you might face sometimes.

Here are some of the places where you can search for religious artifacts in Missouri,
- Old Cathedral in Basilica of St. Louis in St. Louis County
- Trinity Episcopal Church in the St. Charles area in St. Charles County
- Central Methodist Church in the Kansas City area in Jackson County
- Grace and Holy Trinity Cathedral in Kansas City in Jackson County
- Christ Church Cathedral in the St. Louis area in St. Louis County
Congrats folks! Now you know all the best metal detecting finds in Missouri with their historic values, locations where they can be found, and how you can detect them.

Now I’m going to share with you several tips that helped me to find cool treasures when metal detecting in Missouri.
They’ll help you as well to avoid any troubles that might occur when metal detecting and to find awesome treasures.
Some of the below tips were gathered during little chit-chats with expert Missourians.
So, just keep reading!
Tips for Metal Detecting in Missouri
Here are some of the tips and tricks that I used while metal detecting in Missouri. If you master these, you can be able to use them in any location regardless of the state.
Research
When you are going for a place to metal detect, make sure that you know enough about this place.
Make sure that before you leave your house, you have done enough research about the area. This will help to save you time in the field.
You can learn more about the treasures that are buried in Missouri grounds by engaging with the expert local audience in metal detecting clubs in Missouri.

Technique
When metal detecting, make sure that you have a foolproof technique.
Techniques could be different from person to person, so make sure you practice something that works for you as well as is repeatable.
Rules and Regulations
There are many rules in every location where you will visit for meal detection. So, make sure that you know everything about these laws and do your best to obey these laws.
Missouri is home to the buried treasures of the outlaw Jesse James, with many believed still hidden throughout the state.
www.discovery.com

So, let’s answer some frequently asked questions.
FAQs
Are there any famous metal detecting discoveries in Missouri?
Missouri is known for notable finds such as the 4.9-pound meteorite discovered in 2016 and the cache of Civil War era bullets and buttons found throughout the state.
Where in Missouri is metal detecting allowed?
Metal detecting is permitted in various public parks and beaches in Missouri, but always with prior authorization from the park authorities and adherence to the Antiquities Act.
What are the metal detecting laws in Missouri?
Metal detecting in Missouri is governed by the Archaeological Resources Protection Act, which prohibits digging on state land and requires permits for detecting on historical and archaeological sites.
How can I obtain permission to metal detect on private property in Missouri?
Obtaining permission involves contacting the landowner directly and securing written permission to avoid any legal issues and respect property rights.
What is the best time of year to go metal detecting in Missouri?
The best time is typically spring and fall, when the weather is milder and the ground is more manageable for digging.
What should I do if I find something of historical significance while metal detecting in Missouri?
If you find an item of historical significance, report it to the local historical society or archaeology department to ensure it is properly preserved and studied.
Can you make money metal detecting in Missouri?
While some individuals find valuable items, metal detecting is generally considered more of a hobby than a consistent source of income.

Did I cover all you wanted to know about: Best Metal Detecting Finds in Missouri
In this article, I deeply discussed the best metal detecting finds in Missouri with the techniques you can follow to detect them.
The best metal detecting finds in Missouri include Civil War relics, Spanish coins, old trade tokens, Native American artifacts, and the occasional cache from outlaws like Jesse James, all found across the state from riverbanks to old homesteads.
Furthermore, I’ve answered some frequently asked questions as well.
I hope I covered all you wanted to know about the best metal detecting finds in Missouri including experts’ tips.
Now with all the knowledge you have, it’s time for you to start your treasure-hunting journey in Missouri like a champ!